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Lens for band/low light and portrait photography

Started Jun 18, 2016 | Questions thread
Lemming51
Lemming51 Forum Pro • Posts: 15,278
Re: Lens for band/low light and portrait photography

insanityexplained wrote:

Hi all, I currently shoot with a 50mm prime but am looking at getting another lens... have narrowed my selection to these four (Canon brand) within my price range and was wondering if anyone has any experience shooting concerts or low light with them?

- EF 135mm f2.8 @ $499
- 85mm f1.8 @ $424

... I have asked some photographers in my area and been recommended both the 85mm and 135mm equally... is there much difference visually from the 85mm and 50mm prime, or primarily only a change in DOF?

The 85 f/1.8 is going to be noticably, though not dramatically, longer than the 50, but with better ring-USM and inner focusing AF. EF 100 f/2 USM is similar ring-USM if you want longer.

The EF 135 f/2.8 SF is 1 stop slower, not as sharp at f/2.8 as the 85 or 100 are at that aperture, has more primitive AF (circa 1988), but has a special feature that some find appealing. The "SF" in the name is for Soft Focus. It has a control to dial in some spherical aberration to give a kind of 'dreamy' effect.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-135mm-f-2.8-with-Softfocus-Lens-Review.aspx

http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/Reviews/065_Canon_135_F2.8_Soft_Focus/_Canon_135_2.8_Soft_Focus.html

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Canon EOS 40D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +5 more
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